Unlock your global business potential through the new UK Life Science offer

In December 2011 a firm commitment was made by the Prime Minister to re-establish the UK's global leadership in the life science sector, announcing the Government's ten-year Strategy for UK Life Sciences.

The UK life science industry includes pharmaceutical, medical technology and medical biotechnology companies. It is the third largest contributor to economic growth in the UK with more than 4,000 companies, accounting for 165,000 UK jobs and with a total annual turnover of over £50bn, it is a major contributor to both patient benefit and the UK economy.

The commitments made in the Strategy for UK Life Sciences document, and the progress made to date, focus on improving the efficiency of the translation of scientific discoveries into innovative technologies, products, and services, making that process smarter, better, and faster, and leading to bigger returns for patients, businesses, and investors. The commitments made will continuously be refreshed and improved to create the right business environment for investment, and ensure that the UK becomes the global location of choice for life science innovation.

To see a full list of actions outlined in the Strategy and to get an update on progress to date, read The Strategy for UK Life Sciences: One Year On.

Life Science Investment Organisation

To help achieve the commitment outlined above and to signal the importance of the life science sector to the UK economy, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has established a dedicated unit to support overseas investment into the UK from the earliest R&D collaborations through to clinical trials, commercial operations and partnerships. The team in the UKTI Life Science Investment Organisation is here to support you to navigate the UK investment environment and to help your business invest and expand in the UK.

The New UK Life Science Prospectus reiterates the commitment the UK is making to improve the UK’s life science ecosystem, benefiting both businesses and patients, and for industry to be the preferred partner for your business in discovering, developing, and commercialising innovative life science products and services. The full version of the Prospectus, can be downloaded here (.pdf).

Unlock Your Global Business Potential: The new UK Life Science Prospectus for businesses centres around the following areas:

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Support and investment

The UK Government is introducing a suite of fiscal measures including targeted investment, funding initiatives and tax incentives to stimulate innovation and growth for start-ups and SMEs through to large global enterprises.

UK and industry partnership in action

In the UK, partners work together to support a research and innovation culture and supports the creation of a fully integrated life science and healthcare ecosystem that places the patient at the heart of the system.

Vibrant research base

UK science is world-class, offering industry an opportunity to partner with globally recognised pioneers and innovators.

Clinical translation

The UK is committed to making clinical study start-up more efficient and encouraging more patients to participate in clinical research.

Access to drive healthcare innovation

By basing your business in the UK, you gain access to the largest national healthcare system in the world.

Data to drive healthcare innovation

UK science is informed by real world data and information, from bioresources to anonymised patient records, clinical practice, and outcomes data.

Open and flexible regulatory framework

The UK Government is committed to ensuring there is a step-change in the research activities and adoption of new products and services into the NHS.

Coming soon

The Life Science Investment Organisation is in line with the UK Government's strategy and commercial need, building unified propositions for a number of key themes where the UK has strengths. The latest is Stratified Medicine and further information will be published soon on dementia, medical technologies and experimental medicine.

Life sciences network videos

Watch various stakeholders within the UK Life Sciences network talk about how the strategy enables us to work closer together in nurturing the UK life sciences ecosystem, Attracting, developing and rewarding talent, and focusing on overcoming barriers and creating incentives for the promotion of healthcare innovation.

See the highlights from the Healthcare & Life Sciences Summit held in August 2012 on our YouTube playlist.